A COUNCILLOR stormed out of a meeting following a row on whether the mayor should extend his time in office.

Gorseinon Town Council chairman Victor Bruno has hinted he wants to stay at the helm, saying the group needs more continuity.

But the plan has angered councillor Malcolm Curtice, who claimed the council was in danger of becoming a "one man band".

The pair locked horns when discussing the council's upcoming annual meeting.

The yearly conference usually sees the mayor stand down following 12 months in office, with the deputy promoted.

Mr Curtice asked Mr Bruno: "Am I right or I am right? You want to stay on as mayor?"

But Mr Bruno refused to answer the question and threatened to halt the meeting if Mr Curtice carried on.

Visibly annoyed by the request to keep quiet, Mr Curtice then stomped out of Gorseinon Institute.

He fired a parting shot in the mayor's direction, saying: "It's ridiculous. You're just wanting everyone to keep quiet. It's becoming a one-man council."

It is not the first time the pair have fallen out.

The March 1 meeting was stopped by Mr Bruno following a row with Mr Curtice in which he asked him to keep quiet.

Following Mr Curtice's walk-out, councillors pressed on with the discussions about who was to be the next mayor.

Town clerk John Millard said there were two options on the table — to appoint deputy mayor Christine Freeman at the annual meeting, or members could put their names forward to the clerk, with a secret ballot taking place.

Janet Curtice, Mr Curtice's wife and former mayor, pointed out it was tradition for the deputy to be promoted, with the next most senior councillor to take on the number two position.

But Mr Bruno said: "If this council is to move forward we need some consistency, rather than continual change."

Deputy mayor Christine Freeman added she like to become the next mayor, but "would be happy to wait" if councillors decided to vote.

Town clerk Mr Millard plans to send out the list of nominees to council members two weeks before the annual meeting on May 5.

ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk